New College of Florida Enlists Fluropon® for Added Aesthetics and Protection from the Elements

Continuously recognized as one of the top public colleges for a liberal arts education, the New College of Florida (NCF) is turning heads in another area – its architecture. Set to celebrate its 50th anniversary during the 2010-2011 academic year, NCF received funding from the State of Florida to expand its campus. An ode to its rich and successful history, and a testament to its future, it was decided to create a bold, signature building to serve not only as the entrance to the college but act as a central hub for students and faculty alike.

A team from Moule & Polyzoides Architects was commissioned to design the new 36,000 square-foot structure that would house classrooms, offices and a courtyard café. Located in Sarasota, Florida, NCF had to be mindful of more than just the desired aesthetics when building the new academic center. With a mission to utilize as many sustainable products in order to meet LEED requirements, the team also needed to consider the coastal Florida climate and any potential problems that it could pose. Accordingly, David Moss of Moss Specs was brought in to advise on building codes, specifically related to the Florida Department of Education’s Hurricane Shelter Approval, Miami-Dade’s NOA and Florida Building Approvals.

One way to meet the strict guidelines and stand-up to the harsh weather conditions was investing in an aluminum roof. Strong and sturdy, Petersen Aluminum’s Tite-Loc Plus standing seam metal panels were selected to furnish such a roof, and help make an aesthetic statement, too. Roughly 20,000 square-feet of the aluminum Tite-Loc Plus panels, finished in Valspar’s Fluropon® architectural coating in Metallic Zinc, comprise the majority of the complex’s new roof. An additional 4,400 square-feet of aluminum PAC-850 Soffit Panels and 7,000 square-feet of Flat Sheet, used for flashings, are also coated in Fluropon and provide support for the structure. The seamless installation was handled by Murton Roofing, a TECTA America company based in Miami. Overseen by general contractors at Ajax Building Construction, the building achieved LEED-gold certification.

Situated near the Gulf shoreline, it was necessary that NCF’s new academic center feature durable products. This was one of the primary reasons that the Valspar-coated aluminum panels were selected for the build. Working in tandem with masonry walls and hurricane shutters, the aluminum roof adds to the strength of the building and allowed architects to achieve their desired look of blending regional style and contemporary design.

Enlisting Fluropon to finish the aluminum panels was a natural fit. The architectural coating is heralded for its adhesion and color retention properties, which are sure to pay dividends under the Florida sun. The coating is also formulated to stand up to harsh weather conditions, making it a top choice for the coastal climate. The flexible coating protects against chalking, fading and etching, helping to maintain the pristine appearance of NCF’s new complex no matter the weather.